BRAVE Rock Girl unveiled its latest safe bench at the One & Only - Cape Town, at the V&A Waterfront on Monday, April 27.
The non-profit organisation supporting girls in Manenberg has placed more than 60 benches around the city, where anyone can sit, think and have a safe space to tell their story.
Last year BRAVE girls spoke to professional, business, and successful women at a Women's Day programme at the hotel ("Empowering stories from BRAVE Manenberg girls: Overcoming challenges and finding purpose", Atlantic Sun, August 13).
The first bench was installed at Red River Primary School, in Manenberg, almost 16 years ago, when India Baird, founder and director of BRAVE Rock Girl, spoke to girls and discovered that they needed a safe space to think and be seen in a community rife with gangsterism and social ills.
The organisation provides leadership training, safe spaces, and advocacy for girls in Manenberg.
BRAVE social worker and innovations officer Alexis Brown, speaking at the unveiling, said that the organisation equips young girls with the tools to grow and believe in themselves.
"It uplifts them, upskills them, and most importantly, it empowers them to see beyond their everyday experiences," she said.
Ms Brown said that Manenberg is a community faced with many social challenges but BRAVE teaches these girls that their story does not end there.
"It shows them that there is a world of opportunity, a future filled with purpose, possibility and a promise. BRAVE helps them to find their voices.
"It encourages them to dream bigger and reminds them that they are worthy, capable, and strong," she said.
BRAVE girl Jadine Grandeling, mother of a four-month old boy, said it is not easy growing up in Manenberg.
She was raised by her grandmother from the age of two.
"In Manenberg there are many role models but at the end of the day you need to start by yourself.
"My role model is my grandmother, she has been mother and father for me since I was two.
"I want to encourage everyone that there are no limits to what you can accomplish except the limits you put on your own thinking," she said.
Brave mentor Athalia Jacobs said that being part of the Brave journey has turned fear into power.
"From being lonely to having sisters, from having no one to talk to to having a safe space where I can find myself.
"When I began my journey with BRAVE I was reserved. I often felt overwhelmed by the uncertainty around me.
"I have transformed moving from an ordinary girl to a BRAVE junior leader assisting those in need of support and a dependable friend," she said.
Hotel general manager Anne Scott said that the bench will be placed in their garden.
She said that placement of the bench aims to raise awareness about BRAVE, to educate, understand and to share the work that the organisation does with others, and to contribute and support women who support young girls.
Ms Scott demonstrated that people can sit next to each other with their backs towards each other, an in a non-invasive manner allow them to speak to each other if need be.
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